Angels Or Devils

Album: Opaline (2002)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In a Songfacts interview with Dishwalla lead singer JR Richards, he explained the meaning of this song. "I was at a point where I was really trying to be conscious about doing the right thing. I think that all of us at multiple times in our lives will have a bit of that battle between right and wrong, and you can deal with your own demons. So, the song is really about that battle inside and overcoming. Focusing on love, positive things, and winning that battle."
  • The artist states that the angels burn inside "for" us while the devils burn inside "of" us. This makes it seem as if the devils are intrinsically inside and a part of us while the angels (representing good) are an outside/exterior factor trying to work its way inside of us. The writer of this song definitely knew what he/she was writing about - no one could write such a deep emotionally charged song without experiencing it in life first. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Live Freak - Beirut, Lebanon
  • This song started out with some chords Dishwalla keyboard player Jim Wood played for JR Richards. "When I took them home and started working with them I was already in a slightly different place just because he had given me an interesting set of chords," said Richards. "It ended up becoming a big part of the chorus."
  • This song was used in a very emotional scene in the TV show Smallville - episode 2.8 - "Ryan." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Stee - Kent, England

Comments: 2

  • Brian from Boston, MaAll I hear is piano what are you talking about?
  • Kenny from Chimbote, PeruThe way the acoustic guitar plays in the intro is a kinda mechanic, sometimes rough, but when the electric guitar starts, the acoustic sounds softer and with rythm of ballad, I love this song
see more comments

Editor's Picks

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.